About FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
Who We Are
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County (FIRST 5) invests millions of Proposition 10 tobacco tax dollars each year toward effective programs, services, and resources in early education, child health, and family support. We prioritize our investments in neighborhoods where children are exposed to the greatest risk for poor developmental outcomes. We also center equity by working to dismantle systemic barriers that affect the health and well-being of young children in Santa Clara County.
Vision
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County is a catalyst for ensuring that the developmental needs of children prenatal through age 5 are a priority in all sectors of the community.
Priority Populations
What We Do
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the first five years of life. However, this critical period is also where public investments are lowest. FIRST 5 centers young children, and their parents and caregivers, with an array of resources, programs, and services that connect them to basic needs supports, healthcare, and quality early education, so children can thrive.
Mission
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County supports the healthy development of children, from prenatal through age 5, and enriches the lives of their families and communities.
FIRST 5 aims to support all families with young children, with a specific emphasis on those disproportionately affected by poverty, systemic and institutional racism, and trauma. These include:
• Children with disabilities and behavioral health needs
• Immigrant families, including new arrivals, those without documentation, or those with mixed documentation
• Under-resourced families such as low-income families and “gap” families ineligible for government-funded programs
• Court-impacted families with contact or interactions with the justice and child welfare systems
• Families with unstable housing
Our core values
COLLABORATION
We co-create in partnership with others, prioritize lived experience, and develop strategies that advance the wellbeing of families with young children.
INCLUSIVITY
We center diverse perspectives to ensure the representation and participation of marginalized individuals throughout our work.
CREATIVITY
We approach our work from a place of curiosity, joy, innovation, and openness to new ideas.
INTEGRITY
We are accountable for our actions and the outcomes of our work, striving for transparency with the community, our partners, and each other.
EQUITY
We advocate for fair access to opportunities and seek solutions that disrupt systemic oppression, close gaps, and remove barriers that harm families with young children.
This year, FIRST 5 concluded year one of the Stronger Systems, Stronger Families (SSSF) initiative, marking a major milestone in our multi-year effort to build a more coordinated, equitable, and responsive family strengthening system. As we transitioned from our long-standing Family Resource Center initiative into this new systems-focused approach, we strengthened partnerships, aligned resources, and laid the foundation for deeper impact for the next two years of the initiative.
In parallel, we continued to invest in strengthening the early childhood and home visiting workforce through innovative programs designed to improve health and developmental outcomes for young children, ensuring every child and family has the support they need to thrive.
$22.7M invested in programs and resources supporting:
102K+ children
Result Area
96K+ parents/caregivers
9K+ providers
Programs Included SSSF
• Diaper Kit Program
• Guaranteed Income Project
Clients Served
Family Strengthening Child Health
• Potter the Otter Books
• Family Resource Centers
Child Development
• QUALITY MATTERS
• Early Learning Apprenticeship
• Shared Services Alliance
• SEEDS/Teachstone
• TK Equity
175,308
Strategy 1: Place-Based Resource Centers
+ Strategy 2: Critical Gaps
+ Strategy 3: Bold and Innovative Efforts
• Home Visiting
» ParentChild+ Home Visitation
» Home Visiting Collaborative
• UCSF Healthy Steps
Children and Families Served by Race1
12,217
20,912
Children and Families Served by Language
Strategic Plan Year 1 Highlights
This year, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County began implementation of our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan through a structured, agencywide approach. Cross-department focus area teams support coordinated implementation of Strategic Plan goals, fostering intra-agency collaboration and shared decision-making, while an oversight committee provides guidance on resources, alignment, and complex implementation efforts.
Promoting DEIB l Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at FIRST 5.
Year 1 Highlights
• DEIB Statement developed and disseminated to FIRST 5 staff and partners
• FIRST 5 staff have engaged in DEIB-related staff development activities such as a ‘DEIB in the Workplace’ training and certificate program
Next Steps
• Implement anonymous DEIB survey
Strengthening the Workforce l Strengthen the diverse workforce that supports young children and their families.
Year 1 Highlights
• 877 Early Childhood Education providers participated in workforce development initiatives offered through QUALITY MATTERS, such as Apprenticeship, TK Equity, and the Shared Services Alliance
• Home Visiting Expansion Feasibility Study conducted and reported to Board of Supervisors
• $1 million Standing Firm for Families initiative developed in response to pressing needs, including workforce wellness supports
Next Steps
• Continue to develop workforce development initiative offerings
• Partner with County to implement the Feasibility Study recommendations
Connecting Families l Connect families to services and supports that address children’s basic needs and safety.
Year 1 Highlights
• Stronger Systems, Stronger Families (SSSF) initiative and expanded Diaper Kit program launched in response to needs identified through the strategic planning process
• Hosted three learning collaboratives with grantees to share learnings, resources, and opportunities to evaluate impact
• Brought partners and families together to understand safety concerns and current strategies
Next Steps
• Map existing Medi-Cal and gap family services
• Develop advocacy and implementation plan to address systemic barriers to meeting children’s basic needs and safety
Engaging Families l Engage families in our work, including advocacy and leadership opportunities.
Year 1 Highlights
• Participated in 34 community events including celebrations, cultural events, health and resource fairs, fundraisers, learning convenings, advocacy forums, program launches, and graduations
• Developed organizational community engagement strategy to guide efforts
• Held six listening sessions for families participating in Diaper Kit and Home Visiting programs
Next Steps
• Establish Parent Advisory Committee
• Launch FIRST 5’s signature event, Potter the Otter Day
Family Strengthening
What are the needs in our community?
Over one-third of families with a child under age 6 have insufficient income to meet their basic needs (i.e., fall below the Real Cost Measure).2
of families receiving services at our FRCs have a gap in their household’s insurance coverage.3
of children under 6 are enrolled in Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program).4
of adults report exposure to four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); 59.3% report any ACEs.5
Across Santa Clara County, approximately:
of babies have eight or fewer California Strong Start Index assets at birth and could be considered vulnerable.
In some census tracts, this is true for as many as two-thirds of babies.6
of families report child safety in the community as the most important concern in raising young children.7 of those entering homelessness in 2025 were families with children 9 of renters who earn less than $75,000 a year are housing costburdened (spend 30% or more of their income on housing).10
How is FIRST 5 Santa Clara County responding?
The Stronger Systems, Stronger Families (SSSF) initiative is the cornerstone of FIRST 5’s investment strategy, aimed at addressing families’ most important concerns about raising children and barriers to accessing adequate services and support. Designed with input from families and community partners, this three-year initiative provides $31 million in flexible funding to 22 organizations across three strategies:
Strategy 1: Place-Based Resource Centers
Ten grantees provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and healingcentered spaces that connect families to basic resources, services, and supports in ways that improve families’ sense of safety and belonging.
Strategy 2: Critical Gaps
Twelve grantees address critical gaps preventing families from connecting to the resources, services, and supports they need in order to meet their children’s basic needs, safety, and healthy development. Projects funded under this strategy include basic needs assistance, housing-related services, health and developmental screening, services for court-impacted families, mental health services, and parent engagement and education.
Strategy 3: Bold and Innovative Efforts
Four grantees are supporting families’ health and social needs through efforts that address upstream and social determinants of health. Projects funded under this strategy aim to build leadership, strengthen resilience, and expand equitable access to opportunities for marginalized families.
FIRST 5 supports Destination: Home’s Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Project. Grantees provide monthly cash assistance designed to increase housing stability for families with children 0-5 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The project also includes Sacred Heart Community Services, Sí Se Puede Collective, UCSF Benioff Center, and others. Participants receive assistance establishing bank accounts, increasing financial literacy, and accessing public benefits. This pilot project will add to local and national learning on guaranteed income approaches for households experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
$400,000 165 parents and 225 children ages 0-5 awarded to
“It makes such a difference to be able to send the kids to camp… I just see such a difference in their emotional well-being and the way they interact with their peers or other people… when they feel they have somewhere that they belong.”
– Participant
Child Development
What are the needs in our community?
Child Development
of parents express concerns about their child’s development or behavior; this is true for 83% of parents who have a child with a disability.13
32,479
81% children 3 years and older were enrolled in preschool 15
of parents said they can benefit from additional resources and supports on parenting and how best to support their child’s development.14
Enrollment in TK is growing, with 5,639 children enrolled in 2023-2024 and 7,087 in 2024-2025.16
Childcare Shortage
shortage of infant/toddler (0-2) childcare spaces in the County in 2023.17
Subsidized childcare providers have the capacity to serve just 13% of children 0-2 and 36% of children 3-4 in qualified working families.19
of parents report not having regular childcare arrangements.20
of childcare providers struggle to afford rent/mortgage21 payments.
How is FIRST 5 Santa Clara County responding?
QUALITY MATTERS
To help address the childcare shortage, quality of care, and promote children’s development, FIRST 5 continued its QUALITY MATTERS initiative. This initiative provides training and resources to family childcare providers and alternative providers such as Family Resource Center (FRC) staff and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN). Of those enrolled in Quality Matters, 48% elected to pursue professional development to earn a stipend.
5,539 children served and 877 early educators enrolled educators completed at least 21 hours of professional development.22
of families at Family Resource Centers reported feeling well-supported in understanding their child’s development.23
Transitional Kindergarten Equity
In response to the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in California, FIRST 5 is partnering with San José State University to support early educators in pursuing their PK-3 Specialist Credential to teach in a TK-3rd grade classroom. The TK Equity initiative uses a cohort model to prepare early educators to earn a higher income, receive comprehensive school district benefits, and access collective bargaining. Eight educators are participating in the first cohort.
“I am deeply grateful for the support from the faculty... Receiving the scholarship has... [made] it possible for me to pursue my academic goals without overwhelming financial burden.”
Early Learning Apprenticeship
FIRST 5’s Early Learning Apprenticeship initiative is an equity-oriented workforce program focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse early education workforce. The program provides paid on-the-job training, no-cost college courses, and cohort learning at community-based locations to center-based educators and Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers, who earn an Associate Teacher or (new this year) Teacher permit.
68 program participants (Cohort 2 and Teacher Cohort)
reported planning to remain in the field of Early Learning and Care.
of 17 employers in the program indicated they planned to employ trained apprentices.24
Shared Services Alliance
The Shared Services Alliance (SSA) strengthens the stability and sustainability of Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers by offering shared business supports, professional development, and systems-level collaboration. In FY 2024-25, a major milestone was the development of a draft tiered service model, reflecting more than 18 months of providerled design and needs assessment. The tier model outlines a phased approach to support:
Tier
collective leadership to advance systems building, sustainability, and advocacy of infants/toddlers in working families have slots.18 20%
Child Health
What are the needs in our community?
38% of families report access to health providers as the most important concern in raising young children.27
Rates of well-child visits in the first 30 months of life for Santa Clara County are below the national median 28
The percentage of Santa Clara County children born at a low birthweight has increased to 7.6%, and is higher than the statewide average (7.4% in 2021-2023).26
How is FIRST 5 Santa Clara County responding?
FIRST 5 is engaging in a five-year Home Visiting Collaborative grant from First 5 California to develop a coordinated approach to delivering home visiting services. In 2024-2025, the collaborative engaged 14 programs across 7 agencies and 152 home visitors. There were 3,416 children receiving services in these home visiting programs. This year, FIRST 5 supported ParentChild+ in serving:
Parents strengthened the quality of their parent-child interactions as seen by the percentage who were rated to be above average on the PICCOLO assessment.30
AffectionResponsivenessEncouragement
Expansion Feasibility Study
FIRST 5 completed a study for the expansion and sustainability of home visiting services with input from families, providers, and program leadership. The report includes a description of current home visiting programs in Santa Clara County and an interactive map of where families are served. Recommendations from the study included the following:
• Sustain county investment in home visiting programs and ensure cost of living increases, leverage new Medi-Cal benefits, and identify sustainable funding for the HV Collaborative.
• Enhance professional development opportunities for the home visiting workforce, and improve access for families through a No Wrong Door approach.
• Expand programs by increasing funding in high-risk ZIP codes, and establishing a targeted universal short-term newborn home visiting program.31
The rate of substantiated child maltreatment per 1000 children ages 0-5 years old has decreased over time to 3.9%, and is lower than the rate statewide (7.9% in 2024).29
Development Screenings
FIRST 5 funded physical and developmental health screenings for young children in Family Resource Centers, early learning centers, and other community settings.
The Healthier Kids Foundation conducted 7,480 physical health screenings and offered connection to early intervention services as appropriate. 95% of children with an identified unmet need received a referral to a medical home, dental home, or Community Supports program.32
Number with a screening Physical health needs out of range
families
FIRST 5’s Stronger Systems, Stronger Families (SSSF) initiative funds efforts to support court-impacted families and young children through its Critical Gaps strategy.
• Child Advocates of Silicon Valley pairs children under six in the dependency system with a trusted adult to act as an advocate, mentor, and voice to support child development and family transitions.
• Gardner Health Services assists families in meeting their court mandates, referrals, and needs. Through FIRST 5’s support, they have maintained an in-person presence in Family Court while also meeting families in the community to address immediate needs and stressors.
• Healthy Families, Happy Families provides free supervised visitation services and support groups, allowing court-impacted noncustodial parents to maintain contact with their young children.
Systems Change
Advocacy and Awareness
FIRST 5 elevated community voice through the ECE Voices Policy Panel held on January 25, 2025. Early childhood educators and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers came together to share their lived experiences, illuminate systemic challenges, and highlight the strengths within our early learning ecosystem. These powerful conversations deepened collective understanding of the realities facing the early education workforce and informed our ongoing efforts to shape a more equitable, sustainable, and responsive early learning system for Santa Clara County.
Stronger Systems, Stronger Families highlights
FIRST 5’s Stronger Systems, Stronger Families (SSSF) initiative funds efforts to build community leadership and advocacy skills through its Bold and Innovative Efforts strategy.
Sunday Friends’ Dream. Build. Mentor. (DBM) Lab: Entrepreneurship Accelerator provided training, mentorship, and practical resources for immigrant-run family businesses.
“[Our work] is about creating the conditions where families can build their futures with dignity, stability, and agency.”
– Sunday Friends
Community Solutions launched the Comunidades Resilientes, Empoderadas, y Activas (Resilient, Empowered, and Active Communities) (CREA) program to train promotoras on strategies to increase protective factors and strengthen family resilience.
Parents Helping Parents built parent leadership and mobilized parents to advocate for services and supports for children with disabilities through trainings, community engagement, and meetings with elected officials.
Family Child Care Leadership Conference
Family Child Care Home providers often face challenges accessing professional development opportunities because they cannot leave their childcare programs during the work week. To address this need, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County convened a weekend Family Child Care Leadership Conference, held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Mission College, where Santa Clara County–based early educators enjoyed a full day of professional growth. Educators elevated their leadership skills and expanded their knowledge through workshops designed to help them better serve young children and their families.
Potter the Otter
This year, FIRST 5 continued development of our newest Potter the Otter storybook, Potter the Otter Grows a Garden. The story follows Potter and friends as they explore the joys of gardening and outdoor learning, introducing families to farm-to-early care and education (ECE) concepts and the many developmental benefits of engaging with nature.
Starting kindergarten is a major milestone—for young children and their families. To support this transition, FIRST 5 partnered with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to update I’m On My Way to K!, a free and easy-to-use booklet designed to help parents and caregivers prepare their children for a confident and successful start to school.
Community Investment
Trends in Funding: Long-Term Sustainability Plan (5 Years)
In FY 2024-2025, FIRST 5 received $23,619,110 of revenue. As a reflection of our increasing integration into the local human services landscape, the proportion of funding from grants and other revenue sources exceeds the proportion of funding from the Proposition 10 Tobacco Tax. The ongoing decline of Proposition 10 revenue continues to have a significant impact on our community services, staffing, and systems change efforts, requiring us to make strategic choices about community investments while seeking additional revenue streams to ensure the well-being of our county’s children, families, and providers. Because of these choices, we have been able to maintain stability in funding levels over the past several years.33
Program Spotlights
A Mother’s Strength After Deportation
“The diapers have helped me more than you know… every dollar counts. Not having to worry about diapers means I can buy more groceries or put gas in the car to get to work. It’s one less thing I have to stress about.“
After her husband was deported, Maria* became the sole provider for her children. The Diaper Kit program eased a major financial burden, helping her keep her children safe and healthy.
Healing Intergenerational Trauma
“Through the Dad Cafés […] I realized that just because I didn’t grow up with a father who showed emotions and affection, I didn’t have to be the same. Now, when I speak with my father, I tell him how much I love and care about him.”
Through fatherhood programs at one of our Family Resource Centers, Daniel* is reflecting on his upbringing and how he wants to parent differently.
From Instability to Belonging
A family of four began coming to one of our Family Resource Centers while living in their van and facing ongoing uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the mother and her three children regularly accessed showers, laundry, afterschool support, and family activities. Through consistent connection and care, the family found stability—transitioning into shelter, experiencing improved mental health, developing a strong sense of belonging, and supporting the mother’s path to employment.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
References
1. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County AR-1 and AR-2. Note: Totals for demographic tables on this page exclude ‘unknowns.’
2. The Real Cost Measure in California 2025. United Ways of California. March 2025
3. SSSFI Year One Family Resource Centers Family Survey Results
4. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 One-Year Estimates; Table S2704
5. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2024 California Health Interview Survey
6. 2025 California Strong Start Index
7. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County 2023 F5 Parent and Caregiver Survey
8. Santa Clara County Point-In-Time Count Community Report 2025
9. Santa Clara County Point-In-Time Count Community Report 2025
10. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 One-Year Estimates; Table S2503
11. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County AR-2
12. Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Project, 2024 report to FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
13. Stanford Center on Early Childhood, 2025 RAPID – California Survey Santa Clara County Data Brief
14. Stanford Center on Early Childhood, 2025 RAPID – California Survey Santa Clara County Data Brief
15. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 One-Year Estimates; Table B14001
16. California Department of Education, Ed-Data.org Santa Clara County Summary [census day]
17. Santa Clara County Office of Education, 2023 Child Care Needs Assessment
18. Santa Clara County Office of Education, 2023 Child Care Needs Assessment
19. Santa Clara County Office of Education, 2023 Child Care Needs Assessment
20. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2024 California Health Interview Survey
21. Santa Clara County Office of Education, 2025 Santa Clara County & San Benito County Child Care Workforce Study
22. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, Smartsheet for Enlighten Program
23. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, FY 2025 SSSFI Family Resource Centers Family Survey Results
24. Applied Survey Research, Apprenticeship Cohort 2 Snapshot FY 2025
25. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, TK Equity Check-In Survey August 2025
26. California Department of Public Health; Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Dashboard
27. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County 2023 F5 Parent and Caregiver Survey
28. California Department of Health Care Services 2024 Preventative Services Report
29. University of California at Berkeley, California Child Welfare Indicators Project, 2025, Child Maltreatment Substantiation Rates
30. ParentChild+ Demographics Data + PICCOLO Assessment Results Reports
31. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Feasibility Study for the Expansion of Home Visiting Services for Children, 2024
32. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
33. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County AR-1 and AR-2
